Legislative Director

Legislative Director

The Office of Secretary of State (OSOS) offers some of the most unique and diverse job opportunities in state government. Its critical responsibilities include: ensuring a fair and accurate elections process; connecting Washingtonians through the power of libraries; protecting our important government records; and registering corporations and charities. The Secretary of State also administers vital community programs that inspire giving, document our history, and assist crime survivors in avoiding further abuse.

This independent office under the state Constitution operates from facilities in the Olympia area and statewide.

The OSOS is looking for top-performing employees who embody its core values of integrity, service excellence, visionary leadership, collaboration and teamwork. It is committed to both employee growth and work-life balance. The benefits of working in state government also include potential eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

As the Legislative Director, you will be a member of the Secretary's Executive Leadership Team, which helps set the strategic direction for the Office, and serve as a key advisor to the Secretary on strategy and public policy matters. Additionally, in your role as the Legislative Director, you will serve as the lead for all legislative interaction for the Office, including meeting with state legislators and legislative staff, monitoring the legislative process, and publicly representing the Office of the Secretary of State's positions on policy and budget issues.

If you have experience in legislative relations and are looking for a rewarding position that directly impacts the public, media, business community, voters, archive and library users, charity donors, historical organizations and many others, then we encourage you to share your expertise and apply.

The Legislative Director serves as the senior strategist and a primary liaison between OSOS and our most critical partners, to include elected leaders and staff, county partners, especially the Auditors, other state agency executives, and community organizations aligned with the OSOS mission. In this executive-level advisory role, the director advises the Secretary of State, the Executive Leadership Team, and senior staff on legislative strategy, ensuring that all relationship building and engagement efforts support office priorities.

The director anticipates, prepares for, and executes legislative engagements and testimony at hearings; supports office engagement and response to public and media requests; and continuously builds and maintains critical relationships with partners to advocate and support OSOS priorities. The director works collaboratively with the Policy Director to manage a comprehensive legislative and policy team, sharing responsibilities across the spectrum of engagement and strategic policy development.

Legislative Strategy & Advocacy

• Develops and executes the Secretary's legislative agenda in coordination with senior staff.
• Develops, manages and executes comprehensive legislative strategies for OSOS policy initiatives and budget requirements.
• Drafts, reviews, and analyzes bills, amendments, and fiscal notes related to elections, corporations, public records, and other agency functions.
• Coordinates and provides public testimony before legislative committees to advocate for the Secretary's and the office's positions.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Creates, manages and improves constructive working relationships and effective communication with legislators, legislative staff, key partners, and constituent groups.
• Represents the Secretary in meetings with key partners on policy matters.
• Assists with the hosting of special events (dinners, receptions, etc.) for legislators, diplomats, and other community and business partners to foster critical relationships and support office initiatives.
• As required, travels with and staffs the Secretary in engagements with legislators, community leaders, other partners, and media throughout the state.

Policy Analysis & Research

• Monitors legislative trends and emerging issues affecting the office's operations.
• Advises and assists the Secretary and the OSOS Executive Leadership Team on legislative issues, including participating in the development of public policy, by providing relevant legislative context and information.
• Assist with the preparation of briefs, reports, and presentations on legislative impacts.
• Participates, as a member of the OSOS Executive Leadership Team, in the development of office policies, priorities and overall strategic direction.

Internal Coordination

• Collaborates with OSOS divisions (e.g., Elections, ISR, Corporations, Archives, Library) to assess legislative needs.
• Coordinates with OSOS Policy and Communications directors to develop and coordinate consistent messaging on legislation, policy and budget issues.
• Advise the Secretary and Executive Leadership Team on political and procedural risks.
• Tracks and…